Environmental Compliance Inspector Air Quality and Emissions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A city's air monitoring data consistently shows ground-level ozone concentrations above the federal standard.
Under the Clean Air Act, what is the most likely regulatory designation for this city, and what major planning requirement does this trigger?

Accepted Answer

Nonattainment Area; this triggers the requirement for a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision.

Answer

Attainment Area; this triggers a review of the area's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) plan.

Answer

Class I Area; this triggers a mandatory visibility impairment assessment.

Answer

Unclassifiable Area; this triggers a requirement for additional ambient air monitoring.

Question 2

Under the Clean Air Act, major sources of the 187 listed Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) are required to implement a specific level of emission control. What is this technology-based standard called?

Accepted Answer

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)

Answer

Best Available Control Technology (BACT)

Answer

Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER)

Answer

Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT)

Question 3

Which of the following is one of the six "criteria air pollutants" for which the U.S. EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Answer

Asbestos

Answer

Methane

Answer

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Question 4

An environmental inspector is reviewing the compliance of a large petroleum refinery that is a major source of air pollutants. What type of comprehensive, facility-wide operating permit, which consolidates all applicable Clean Air Act requirements into a single document, is this facility required to obtain?

Accepted Answer

A Title V Operating Permit

Answer

A Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit

Answer

A New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) Registration

Answer

An Air Contaminant Discharge Permit (ACDP)

Question 5

An inspector is scheduled to conduct a visible emissions evaluation to determine compliance with an opacity limit. What is the standard EPA reference method used by a certified observer for visually determining the opacity of emissions from a stationary source?

Accepted Answer

Method 9

Answer

Method 5

Answer

Method 22

Answer

Method 201A

Question 6

A new manufacturing facility is planned for construction in an area that is currently meeting all National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The facility will be a major source of nitrogen oxides (NOx). What pre-construction permitting program under the Clean Air Act is this facility subject to, and what level of emission control will it likely be required to install?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD); requiring Best Available Control Technology (BACT).

Answer

Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR); requiring Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER).

Answer

Title V Operating Permit Program; requiring Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT).

Answer

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP); requiring Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT).